Saturday, July 20, 2013

6 months ago this weekend Eli was placed in our arms forever. He was so sick, scared and timid. It took us several days to get smiles and it wasn't until we were home that he really showed us his true self. If I could use one word to describe him now, it would be pure "joy". He is always smiling, laughing, and just being sweet. The only times he is not happy is when he is hungry. He loves food and has not turned down anything we have offered him yet! In 6 months, he has learned to walk (practically running now), he is starting to form words (his current favorite word is "no"), he has learned how to do puzzles, he no longer needs a bottle and he loves to swim!! He has had so many transitions, but he truly is doing amazing! He loves his older brothers and sister and I can't imagine our family without him. Aidan said the other night that he is "the best thing that has ever happened to us". Adoption rocks! I am so thankful that God has called our family to adoption.

In the last 6 months we have been a very busy family. We have traveled to South Carolina and Tennessee to visit with friends. We have traveled to Cedar Point to attend a soccer tournament and to have a family weekend away. We have visited with friends, both near and far, spent time with family and experienced lots of new places and things. Here are just a few pics from the last 6 months.

The Super Hero Boys﻿

Aidan ... love that smile﻿

Bella and Lulu﻿

First trip to the Strawberry Patch (check out the strawberry juice running down his face)﻿

Great day (someone ate more than he kept) ﻿

Time with a friend we met in China ... Josiah and Eli﻿

Great visit with sweet friends we got to know while in China. The "big" kids hit it off and had a blast swimming together﻿

The Fam

Welcome

Welcome to our blog. We are the Garland family. Michael, Heather, Aidan (12), Keenan (9), Isabella (8) and Eli (3). We brought Isabella home in August of 2009, and Eli home in February 2013. We hope you enjoy our journey as a family of 6!

Aidan

Keenan

Bella

Eli

Our four blessings

Timeline

February 15: Apply to CCAI;
February 16: Apply to FAC (homestudy agency);
May 24: Received Final Homestudy;
May 25: Sent I800A application to USCIS;
July 11: USCIS Approval;
July 20: DTC;
July 24: LID;
August 9: LOI submitted to China, Eli's file locked!!;
August 17: Pre-approval from China;
September 19: Out of Translation;
November 1: LOA;
November 21: USCIS Provisional 800 Approval;
December 18: Article 5 issued;
January 9: Travel Approval!;
January 21: Eli in our arms forever!!